Looking for fun, games and challenging activities over the winter school break? The popular Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is back and taking bookings now.
The HAF is a great way for eligible children and young people to get involved in activities, socialise, and meet new friends during the winter break. They can learn about nutrition, and spark some new interests and hobbies, from archery, arts and crafts, dance, and drama, to football and film making, there is something for everyone.
The programme is available for children and young people from reception to year 11 who live or go to school in Ealing and are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM), or who are vulnerable and would benefit from a HAF place. It not only provides a programme of enriching activities, but also healthy food.
If you want to know what sort of activities are on offer, check out the short video above.
‘Fun is never too far away’
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said: “The HAF programme is so popular and the activities on offer are incredibly wide ranging, suitable for school age children and young people, offered in venues across the borough, ensuring the fun is never too far away.
“We want to ensure all children and young people get the best start in life and broaden their horizons with life-enriching experiences. The HAF programme is a priority as part of Ealing’s ‘It Takes a Town’ commitment, to give every young person an enriching experience that’s only a stone’s throw away.”
Winter 2023 HAF
Ealing’s Winter HAF Programme will run on Friday 22 December 2023 and Tuesday 2 January – Friday 5 January 2024. Please note, there will be no phone or email booking support between Friday 22 December 2023 and Monday 1 January 2024.
Funded activities are taking place across the borough and each day comes with a healthy meal, with the children encouraged to take part in preparing and cooking the meal in many settings. Eligible children and young people can attend for a maximum of 5 days for 4 hours each day over the Christmas school holiday, and there are many HAF providers to choose from.
Details of the activity providers, booking information, and further details are available through the HAF pages on Ealing’s Families Directory.
The booking system is now live and bookings will close on Thursday 21 December – but don’t leave it too late otherwise you might not be able to get the activity you want.
The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education.
